The 10 Best Motorcycles for 2016

Few bikes are more beloved than the SV650, and this new one is the closest Suzuki has come to recapturing the magic of the 1999 original. The new bike certainly has the right look, which is cleaner and more retro than today's SFV650. It shares the same engine and frame as the SFV, but Suzuki says more than 140 parts were changed. Horsepower is estimated to be up around 75 and the bike's overall weight has been reduced, so this should be a great-riding machine when it arrives this spring.

2 of 10

2016 Indian Scout Sixty

Base Price: $8,999

The resurrection of the Indian brand has been a huge success for parent company Polaris, and at the core of that revival has been the much-loved Scout. However, the 100-hp Scout with its big 1,133cc Twin starts at just over $11,000. For a more affordable Indian, check out the new Scout Sixty, whihc chops a few thousand dollars off the price thanks to a slightly smaller-60 cubic-inch (still nearly 1,000cc) motor.

The Sixty loses one gear in the transmission compared to the original Scout (five instead of six speeds) and many of the components that are polished or chrome on the Scout are black here. But none of that should detract from the riding experience—after all, the two bikes ride on the same frame and suspension. So the Scout Sixty is a great way to get into the upscale Indian cruiser brand for not a lot of dough.

3 of 10

Ducati Scrambler Sixty2

Base Price: $7,995

The Ducati Scrambler makes our mouths water. It's like an old-school dirt-track bike blended with a minimalist street fighter. Ducatis are Italian, though, and that means they can get expensive. It's not hard to find a Scrambler with all the coolest styling add-ons for close to $12,000.

There's one model that keeps the price tag very reasonable. For less than $8,000, the Sixty2 brings the visual coolness but has a smaller air-cooled 399cc Twin with 41 hp, instead of the much stronger 800cc engine in most models. The Sixty2 may not be the quickest Ducati, but with only 400 pounds to haul around, it's probably plenty fun. And because it has a low 31-inch seat height, this could be a great bike for new or shorter riders.

4 of 10

2016 Kawasaki Z800

Base Price: $8,399

The reasonably priced naked sporting bike is a bike formula we love, and the one Yamaha introduced last year, the FZ-09, racked up the awards. So it makes sense that rival Kawasaki would bring over a street-fighting midsize brawler of its own. The new Z800 targets the same crowd looking for a stripped-down sports machine that's upright enough for daily riding comfort. Kawasaki's 806cc inline four revs past 12,000 rpm and delivers plenty of punch to power the bike's hefty near-500-lb. weight. Because this is the first year for the Z800, expect to see subtle tweaks and perhaps special editions soon.

5 of 10

2016 Triumph Bonneville Street Twin

Base Price: $8,700 (est)

Even though Triumph's new Bonneville lineup already looks retro, the classic British machines receive a full redesign for 2016 with stronger engines and an improved chassis. The least-expensive way to park one in your garage will be the new Street Twin. Its 900cc Twin is larger than the old Bonneville's engine (by 35 cc) and that helps the new motor churn out 59 lb-ft of torque. There's a five-speed transmission with a slipper-style clutch to handle aggressive launches. And just because this bike looks old doesn't mean it doesn't have plenty of tech. There's a USB charging port under the seat and even a traction control system. The Street Twin might be at the bottom end of the Bonneville pecking order, but it's one that seems like perfect canvas for upgrades and personalization.

6 of 10

2016 Yamaha SR-400

Base Price: $5,990

Bikes like the Bonneville that look retro but pack modern touches and contemporary powerplants are all the rage. But some old-school bikes really are retro when it comes to tech, too.

Yamaha's SR-400 was a hit when it debuted in the 1970s. Not much has changed on this since then. It was re-introduced in the United States just last year and the experience is pure vintage cool. The 400cc single cylinder engine is fuel injected but this bike is a kick-start machine, which hits all the right nostalgia notes. This bike isn't a screamer and its soft-tuned suspension is best for mellow riding, nut thanks to the narrow design and low seat height, the SR-400 could be one of the smartest commuter bikes around. For less than six grand, the SR-400 is a great deal for antique cool with modern reliability.

7 of 10

2016 KTM Duke 390

Base Price: $4,990

You can feel KTM's racing roots as soon as you bend one through a set of switchbacks. KTM's street bikes feel light and tossable, just like their muscular off-road race machines. And these bikes are lesser known than the mainstream manufacturers, so KTM riders enjoy a bit of exclusivity—you won't see a lot of similar bikes at the local Sunday riding spot.

The Duke 390 is a great deal for around five grand. It packs a big, 373cc single that sounds as good as it performs, with a responsive chassis and a curb weight just north of 300 pounds. Translation? It's light, fun and powerful.

8 of 10

2016 Star Bolt C-Spec

Base Price: $8,690

Yamaha's Star cruiser division unleashed the Bolt in 2014 as a low-priced competitor to Harley's legendary Sportster. It quickly became the company's bestseller. This year, the Bolt C-Spec hit the market as a café take on the original with a more athletic style and a distinct retro vibe. The C-Spec uses the same 942cc V-twin but a suspension setup better suited to curves. The slightly taller ride height allows improved cornering clearance, so you can really lean this bike over a bit further without scraping the foot pegs. The clip-on-style bars put your body in a sportier position. This is still a heavy cruiser bike (542 lbs.) at its core, so it won't feel quite as frisky on twisty roads as a dedicated sport bikes. Still, we dig the style and have always enjoyed the easy rideability of the Bolt.

9 of 10

2016 Honda CBR300R

Base Price: $4,719

Unlike some motorcycle manufactures, Honda makes the sport-bike feel available to those without a lot of dough or experience. The company's previous CBR250R was a blast, and it was easy enough for new riders to slide a leg over it, too. The new CBR300R (which is technically a 286cc single) replaces the old bike and pushes the experience a bit further. It's now able to keep pace on the freeway much better. But thanks to the low weight (357 lbs.) and nimble dynamics, it's a fun machine in the canyons too. It's good to know, too, that this inexpensive Honda is equipped with ABS, so you can more confidently ride the CBR in wet weather. We particularly like the heritage red, white and blue paint scheme that recalls some of Honda's greatest sport bikes.

10 of 10

Harley-Davidson Softail Slim

Base Price: $14,899

Harley's big bikes are usually priced into the stratosphere. That's why we like the new Softail Slim. Sure, fifteen grand isn't cheap. But it's the least expensive way to slide a leg over one of Harley's lowest and sleekest platforms—the Softail. The Slim is a stripped-down old-school bobber version of the bike that packs the 103 cu-in version of Harley's big twin with just more than 100 lb-ft. of torque. That's plenty to move the 700-pound beast.

If there's a few thousand more in the bank account, check out the Slim S model, which packs the hot-rodded CVO-tuned 110 cu-in motor and a wild military paint scheme in matte olive green.

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